Fetuin-A Early after Renal Transplantation

Background: Fetuin-A is a major inhibitor of ectopic calcium phosphate precipitation and an acute phase reactant. Its deficiency, common in end-stage renal disease, has been suggested to be associated with cardiovascular complications. The aim of this study was to monitor fetuin-A levels in the early period after renal transplantation. Methods: 30 deceased donor kidney recipients treated with calcineurin inhibitor-based immunosuppression were followed prospectively for the first 3 months and the association of fetuin-A levels with clinical and laboratory parameters was evaluated. Results: Despite a correlation of fetuin-A levels with creatinine clearance (r = 0.348, p < 0.01) and estimated GFR (r = 0.331, p < 0.01), no significant increase in fetuin-A levels over the first 3 months was observed. Moreover, a significant decrease in serum fetuin-A levels was noted at 2 weeks (p < 0.001). Subsequently, fetuin-A levels increased (p < 0.001) reaching pretransplant values at month 3. Conclusions: In this study there was no increase of fetuin-A levels during the first 3 months, but a decrease 2 weeks after transplantation was observed. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel